Two-year old family cars you can buy today instead of paying $100k for just a COE
07 Jun 2023|29,436 views
Nothing can replicate how it feels to take a brand new car the first time - seeing its speckless paintcoat sparkle in the delivery bay, feeling the cold of an untouched key against your palm, then stepping in and breathing in the smell of leather not yet mistreated by both our bums and the harsh rays from the sun.
Alas, with COE prices as they are currently, most of us are likely to have to forgo that feeling (or at least believe we have to forgo that feeling) for now. But take this as a light-hearted thought exercise: What could $100,000 - the approximate price of a Category A COE alone - buy you today?
Specifically, if the priority is just for a set of wheels to transport you from Point A to B, then these two year-old compact cars - spanning crossovers to sedans; Japanese to 'conti' models - are certainly not too shabby a group to select from. (All listing and prices accurate at time of publishing.)
1. Mitsubishi Attrage (Price range: ~$85,000 to $92,000)
Despite its humble disposition, there's no denying the impact the Attrage has had on the Mitsubishi brand locally It's funny how Mitsubishi's lineup in Singapore was given such a huge jolt with such a compact car - but it's not hard to see the appeal of the Attrage to the budget-oriented driver.
Given its humble, CVT-mated 1.2-litre three-pot, the Attrage may not be the most powerful compact car. But it doesn't disguise its purpose as an easy-to-drive, point A-to-B vehicle. Its 4.8m turning radius is the smallest in its class; its 450-litre boot is well-sized; and it comes with a generous total of six airbags, too.
Units from 2021 have received the mid-life facelift, which give the Attrage the firm's fiercer 'Dynamic Shield' front. With the 7.0-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio infotainment screen introduced then, both iPhone and Android users crucially get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration now too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Attrage here!
2. Mitsubishi Space Star (Price range: ~$84,000 to $95,000)
Keen on an econo-two-box rather than three-box? The Space Star (mostly) offers all that the Attrage has with its own style It may have been the Attrage that first kicked the doors down to a Mitsubishi resurgence on our shores, but it was actually the Space Star - also known abroad as the Mirage - that preceded the sedan.
Sharing the same platform as the Attrage, but with a 10mm shorter wheelbase, the Space Star does most of what its fraternal twin accomplishes albeit in a slightly different body style that carries its own unique set of characteristics. Since this is a hatchback, trunk carrying capacity with the seats up is lower at 416 litres, but fold them down and this more than doubles. For those who value a more configurable space, this might be the better car to go for.
Otherwise, everything else remains the same: Its engine, manoeuvrability and ease of living with. This is as no-frills and economical as city hatchbacks come.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Space Star here!
3. Opel Crossland (Price range: ~$94,000 to $99,000)
Opel's baby crossover is a formidable compact runabout if you're willing to go for something off the beaten path With most models registered in 2021, you'll get to enjoy the Opel Crossland with its mid-life facelift, which brings in the firm's new Vizor front design element.
Coupled with 17-inch wheels as standard, the visual upgrade certainly gives the crossover a sharper, more alluring look. Through it all, the Crossland retains its versatile interior, with its 420-litre boot expanding to 520 litres simply with the forward slide of its rear bench.
The uninitiated may think there's not much separating the Crossland's also 1.2-litre engine from the Attrage's/Space Star's, but that couldn't be further from reality. With the power of turbocharging, the three-cylinder unit produces a healthy 129bhp and 230Nm of torque, and is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox too, helping the Crossland complete the century sprint in just under 10 seconds.
On the road, features like Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Sport Alert also promise to make the car more fuss-free to drive.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Crossland here!
4. Honda Fit 1.3 (GR) (Price range: ~$93,000 to $106,000)
Even without hybridisation, the spacious Honda Fit promises to be quite affordable to run With Honda's local authorised dealer selling e:HEV variants in full force now, hybridisation is arguably even more prominent in the current generation of the Honda Jazz/Fit.
Nonetheless, even without an extra electric motor, the tiny hatch is an efficient little runabout in its own right. If the e:HEV powertrain isn't at the top of your priority list, you could get the entry-level variant with the slightly smaller 1.3-litre engine today, which is sufficient for use within Singapore.
All the same, expect spades of thoughtful practicality within the car's tiny frame, including Honda's clever and inimitable 'ULTRA' fold-up rear seats.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Fit 1.3 here!
5. Honda Shuttle (Price range: ~$103,000 to $116,000)
As the only MPV on this list, the Honda Shuttle boasts the best boot capacity: A whopping 570 litres Don't dismiss the Honda Shuttle for having found so much favour with car-sharing and rental fleets before first understanding why. Sure - a very spartan interior greets you when you step into the car, and it's not exactly a car you'd kill to get behind the wheel of either.
Nonetheless, the Shuttle excels with its no-compromises approach to people and baggage-moving. Its MPV shape results in excellent rear headroom and legroom, and of course, lends itself to the largest boot here, at 570 litres.
In some variants, the car comes equipped with Honda Sensing too, which includes nifty safety assistance features including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Shuttle here!
6. Nissan Note e-POWER (Price range: ~$103,000 to $110,000)
The Note is notably sophisticated for a car this size thanks to its styling and hybrid powertrain Arch-nemesis to the Honda Jazz, we - *ahem* - noted the current Nissan Note e-POWER to be a vastly improved product over its predecessor thanks not just to its hybrid powertrain but also drastically sharpened up looks when we drove it.
Nissan's e-POWER drivetrain remains one of the more unique ones on the market today. The car's wheels are never directly driven by the engine; the engine instead generates power for a small battery onboard, which in turn propel the car.
What results is a surprising amount of shove off the line. That, coupled with the Note's diminutive proportions, makes it very nice to drive in the city. It helps, too, that it hasn't lost its core as a spacious and fuel-efficient supermini through this progression.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Nissan Note e-POWER here!
7. Toyota Vios (Price range: ~$104,000 to $112,000)
Those who prefer household names with a multi-generation track record will certainly gravitate towards the Vios The Toyota Vios has remained one of the most well-loved subcompact sedans for years on our shores, and there's good reason - or good reasons - why.
While remaining very manoeuvrable, the sedan can carry five in relative comfort, and boasts one of the largest boots in its class at 474 litres. Like many other cars in this list, Vioses you'll find from 2021 have been facelifted too.
Among vital (and welcome) cosmetic tweaks, that brought a CVT back to the sedan - in place of the outgoing four-speed automatic gearbox - which, we'd argue, better coheres with the car's character. Even without hybridisation, the Vios is decently refined for something within its segment too, and is quite the fuel-sipper; we managed 13.1km/L on our test drive a while back. Above all, this is a Toyota, so expect heap loads of reliability too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Vios here!
8. Toyota Raize (Price range: ~$105,000 to $111,000)
With the same practicality, but a turbocharged engine, the Toyota Raize is an interesting alternative to the Yaris Cross Hybrid Ask most people what Toyota's smallest crossover today is and their answer is likely to be the formidable, fuel-sipping Yaris Cross Hybrid. But another name has also made its mark via the 'unofficial' route on our shores.
Also sold purely as a parallel import, the Toyota Raize is the perfect car for a P-plate driver with its bite-sized proportions (the car is less than 4m long!), large windows and boxy shape. But like many other cars on this list, it hides a surprising amount of space to passengers on the inside.
Furthermore, its boot is quite good for a subcompact car - at 469 litres. Expect good fuel economy alongside sufficient power, too, from its 1.0-litre turbocharged engine.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Raize here!
9. Seat Toledo (Price range: ~$90,000)*
Sedans with liftback tailgates are a rarity - which makes the Seat Toledo all the more an unconventional option in the compact segment In the mood for something slightly different?
The Seat Toledo may look like the other compact/subcompact sedans on this list, but has its own party trick: A liftback tailgate. This opens up to a massive 550-litre boot - which easily trumps many larger sedans - making the Toledo a great choice for those with lots to ferry around constantly.
Furthermore, thanks to its 1.4-litre turbocharged lump producing 123bhp and 200Nm of torque, the Toledo is capable of more shove than many of the other names here, and offers a very settled ride that gives it the more 'grown-up' aura of larger vehicles. The Japanese and Koreans may arguably still be the best at making economical cars, but don't write this Spaniard off for what it also has to show.
*Only one unit available at time of writing.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Seat Toledo here!
If you're willing to go for even older cars, don't forget to check out everything on our Used Cars listings! And if new cars are still your cup of tea, we've got you covered here too!
Here are a few other articles that may interest you:
Year of the rabbit (2023) - 10 affordable cars to hop into (January 2023)
8 most affordable turbocharged new cars for a faster 2023 (February 2023)
5 PARF cars for family-oriented drivers who want just a subtly different ride
Reintroductions: Every car that has gone from Category B to Category A in the last 12 months (May 2023)
Alas, with COE prices as they are currently, most of us are likely to have to forgo that feeling (or at least believe we have to forgo that feeling) for now. But take this as a light-hearted thought exercise: What could $100,000 - the approximate price of a Category A COE alone - buy you today?
Specifically, if the priority is just for a set of wheels to transport you from Point A to B, then these two year-old compact cars - spanning crossovers to sedans; Japanese to 'conti' models - are certainly not too shabby a group to select from. (All listing and prices accurate at time of publishing.)
1. Mitsubishi Attrage (Price range: ~$85,000 to $92,000)
Given its humble, CVT-mated 1.2-litre three-pot, the Attrage may not be the most powerful compact car. But it doesn't disguise its purpose as an easy-to-drive, point A-to-B vehicle. Its 4.8m turning radius is the smallest in its class; its 450-litre boot is well-sized; and it comes with a generous total of six airbags, too.
Units from 2021 have received the mid-life facelift, which give the Attrage the firm's fiercer 'Dynamic Shield' front. With the 7.0-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio infotainment screen introduced then, both iPhone and Android users crucially get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration now too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Attrage here!
2. Mitsubishi Space Star (Price range: ~$84,000 to $95,000)
Sharing the same platform as the Attrage, but with a 10mm shorter wheelbase, the Space Star does most of what its fraternal twin accomplishes albeit in a slightly different body style that carries its own unique set of characteristics. Since this is a hatchback, trunk carrying capacity with the seats up is lower at 416 litres, but fold them down and this more than doubles. For those who value a more configurable space, this might be the better car to go for.
Otherwise, everything else remains the same: Its engine, manoeuvrability and ease of living with. This is as no-frills and economical as city hatchbacks come.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Space Star here!
3. Opel Crossland (Price range: ~$94,000 to $99,000)
Coupled with 17-inch wheels as standard, the visual upgrade certainly gives the crossover a sharper, more alluring look. Through it all, the Crossland retains its versatile interior, with its 420-litre boot expanding to 520 litres simply with the forward slide of its rear bench.
The uninitiated may think there's not much separating the Crossland's also 1.2-litre engine from the Attrage's/Space Star's, but that couldn't be further from reality. With the power of turbocharging, the three-cylinder unit produces a healthy 129bhp and 230Nm of torque, and is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox too, helping the Crossland complete the century sprint in just under 10 seconds.
On the road, features like Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Sport Alert also promise to make the car more fuss-free to drive.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Crossland here!
4. Honda Fit 1.3 (GR) (Price range: ~$93,000 to $106,000)
Nonetheless, even without an extra electric motor, the tiny hatch is an efficient little runabout in its own right. If the e:HEV powertrain isn't at the top of your priority list, you could get the entry-level variant with the slightly smaller 1.3-litre engine today, which is sufficient for use within Singapore.
All the same, expect spades of thoughtful practicality within the car's tiny frame, including Honda's clever and inimitable 'ULTRA' fold-up rear seats.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Fit 1.3 here!
5. Honda Shuttle (Price range: ~$103,000 to $116,000)
Nonetheless, the Shuttle excels with its no-compromises approach to people and baggage-moving. Its MPV shape results in excellent rear headroom and legroom, and of course, lends itself to the largest boot here, at 570 litres.
In some variants, the car comes equipped with Honda Sensing too, which includes nifty safety assistance features including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Shuttle here!
6. Nissan Note e-POWER (Price range: ~$103,000 to $110,000)
Nissan's e-POWER drivetrain remains one of the more unique ones on the market today. The car's wheels are never directly driven by the engine; the engine instead generates power for a small battery onboard, which in turn propel the car.
What results is a surprising amount of shove off the line. That, coupled with the Note's diminutive proportions, makes it very nice to drive in the city. It helps, too, that it hasn't lost its core as a spacious and fuel-efficient supermini through this progression.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Nissan Note e-POWER here!
7. Toyota Vios (Price range: ~$104,000 to $112,000)
While remaining very manoeuvrable, the sedan can carry five in relative comfort, and boasts one of the largest boots in its class at 474 litres. Like many other cars in this list, Vioses you'll find from 2021 have been facelifted too.
Among vital (and welcome) cosmetic tweaks, that brought a CVT back to the sedan - in place of the outgoing four-speed automatic gearbox - which, we'd argue, better coheres with the car's character. Even without hybridisation, the Vios is decently refined for something within its segment too, and is quite the fuel-sipper; we managed 13.1km/L on our test drive a while back. Above all, this is a Toyota, so expect heap loads of reliability too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Vios here!
8. Toyota Raize (Price range: ~$105,000 to $111,000)
Also sold purely as a parallel import, the Toyota Raize is the perfect car for a P-plate driver with its bite-sized proportions (the car is less than 4m long!), large windows and boxy shape. But like many other cars on this list, it hides a surprising amount of space to passengers on the inside.
Furthermore, its boot is quite good for a subcompact car - at 469 litres. Expect good fuel economy alongside sufficient power, too, from its 1.0-litre turbocharged engine.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Raize here!
9. Seat Toledo (Price range: ~$90,000)*
The Seat Toledo may look like the other compact/subcompact sedans on this list, but has its own party trick: A liftback tailgate. This opens up to a massive 550-litre boot - which easily trumps many larger sedans - making the Toledo a great choice for those with lots to ferry around constantly.
Furthermore, thanks to its 1.4-litre turbocharged lump producing 123bhp and 200Nm of torque, the Toledo is capable of more shove than many of the other names here, and offers a very settled ride that gives it the more 'grown-up' aura of larger vehicles. The Japanese and Koreans may arguably still be the best at making economical cars, but don't write this Spaniard off for what it also has to show.
*Only one unit available at time of writing.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Seat Toledo here!
If you're willing to go for even older cars, don't forget to check out everything on our Used Cars listings! And if new cars are still your cup of tea, we've got you covered here too!
Here are a few other articles that may interest you:
Year of the rabbit (2023) - 10 affordable cars to hop into (January 2023)
8 most affordable turbocharged new cars for a faster 2023 (February 2023)
5 PARF cars for family-oriented drivers who want just a subtly different ride
Reintroductions: Every car that has gone from Category B to Category A in the last 12 months (May 2023)
Nothing can replicate how it feels to take a brand new car the first time - seeing its speckless paintcoat sparkle in the delivery bay, feeling the cold of an untouched key against your palm, then stepping in and breathing in the smell of leather not yet mistreated by both our bums and the harsh rays from the sun.
Alas, with COE prices as they are currently, most of us are likely to have to forgo that feeling (or at least believe we have to forgo that feeling) for now. But take this as a light-hearted thought exercise: What could $100,000 - the approximate price of a Category A COE alone - buy you today?
Specifically, if the priority is just for a set of wheels to transport you from Point A to B, then these two year-old compact cars - spanning crossovers to sedans; Japanese to 'conti' models - are certainly not too shabby a group to select from. (All listing and prices accurate at time of publishing.)
1. Mitsubishi Attrage (Price range: ~$85,000 to $92,000)
Despite its humble disposition, there's no denying the impact the Attrage has had on the Mitsubishi brand locally It's funny how Mitsubishi's lineup in Singapore was given such a huge jolt with such a compact car - but it's not hard to see the appeal of the Attrage to the budget-oriented driver.
Given its humble, CVT-mated 1.2-litre three-pot, the Attrage may not be the most powerful compact car. But it doesn't disguise its purpose as an easy-to-drive, point A-to-B vehicle. Its 4.8m turning radius is the smallest in its class; its 450-litre boot is well-sized; and it comes with a generous total of six airbags, too.
Units from 2021 have received the mid-life facelift, which give the Attrage the firm's fiercer 'Dynamic Shield' front. With the 7.0-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio infotainment screen introduced then, both iPhone and Android users crucially get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration now too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Attrage here!
2. Mitsubishi Space Star (Price range: ~$84,000 to $95,000)
Keen on an econo-two-box rather than three-box? The Space Star (mostly) offers all that the Attrage has with its own style It may have been the Attrage that first kicked the doors down to a Mitsubishi resurgence on our shores, but it was actually the Space Star - also known abroad as the Mirage - that preceded the sedan.
Sharing the same platform as the Attrage, but with a 10mm shorter wheelbase, the Space Star does most of what its fraternal twin accomplishes albeit in a slightly different body style that carries its own unique set of characteristics. Since this is a hatchback, trunk carrying capacity with the seats up is lower at 416 litres, but fold them down and this more than doubles. For those who value a more configurable space, this might be the better car to go for.
Otherwise, everything else remains the same: Its engine, manoeuvrability and ease of living with. This is as no-frills and economical as city hatchbacks come.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Space Star here!
3. Opel Crossland (Price range: ~$94,000 to $99,000)
Opel's baby crossover is a formidable compact runabout if you're willing to go for something off the beaten path With most models registered in 2021, you'll get to enjoy the Opel Crossland with its mid-life facelift, which brings in the firm's new Vizor front design element.
Coupled with 17-inch wheels as standard, the visual upgrade certainly gives the crossover a sharper, more alluring look. Through it all, the Crossland retains its versatile interior, with its 420-litre boot expanding to 520 litres simply with the forward slide of its rear bench.
The uninitiated may think there's not much separating the Crossland's also 1.2-litre engine from the Attrage's/Space Star's, but that couldn't be further from reality. With the power of turbocharging, the three-cylinder unit produces a healthy 129bhp and 230Nm of torque, and is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox too, helping the Crossland complete the century sprint in just under 10 seconds.
On the road, features like Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Sport Alert also promise to make the car more fuss-free to drive.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Crossland here!
4. Honda Fit 1.3 (GR) (Price range: ~$93,000 to $106,000)
Even without hybridisation, the spacious Honda Fit promises to be quite affordable to run With Honda's local authorised dealer selling e:HEV variants in full force now, hybridisation is arguably even more prominent in the current generation of the Honda Jazz/Fit.
Nonetheless, even without an extra electric motor, the tiny hatch is an efficient little runabout in its own right. If the e:HEV powertrain isn't at the top of your priority list, you could get the entry-level variant with the slightly smaller 1.3-litre engine today, which is sufficient for use within Singapore.
All the same, expect spades of thoughtful practicality within the car's tiny frame, including Honda's clever and inimitable 'ULTRA' fold-up rear seats.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Fit 1.3 here!
5. Honda Shuttle (Price range: ~$103,000 to $116,000)
As the only MPV on this list, the Honda Shuttle boasts the best boot capacity: A whopping 570 litres Don't dismiss the Honda Shuttle for having found so much favour with car-sharing and rental fleets before first understanding why. Sure - a very spartan interior greets you when you step into the car, and it's not exactly a car you'd kill to get behind the wheel of either.
Nonetheless, the Shuttle excels with its no-compromises approach to people and baggage-moving. Its MPV shape results in excellent rear headroom and legroom, and of course, lends itself to the largest boot here, at 570 litres.
In some variants, the car comes equipped with Honda Sensing too, which includes nifty safety assistance features including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Shuttle here!
6. Nissan Note e-POWER (Price range: ~$103,000 to $110,000)
The Note is notably sophisticated for a car this size thanks to its styling and hybrid powertrain Arch-nemesis to the Honda Jazz, we - *ahem* - noted the current Nissan Note e-POWER to be a vastly improved product over its predecessor thanks not just to its hybrid powertrain but also drastically sharpened up looks when we drove it.
Nissan's e-POWER drivetrain remains one of the more unique ones on the market today. The car's wheels are never directly driven by the engine; the engine instead generates power for a small battery onboard, which in turn propel the car.
What results is a surprising amount of shove off the line. That, coupled with the Note's diminutive proportions, makes it very nice to drive in the city. It helps, too, that it hasn't lost its core as a spacious and fuel-efficient supermini through this progression.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Nissan Note e-POWER here!
7. Toyota Vios (Price range: ~$104,000 to $112,000)
Those who prefer household names with a multi-generation track record will certainly gravitate towards the Vios The Toyota Vios has remained one of the most well-loved subcompact sedans for years on our shores, and there's good reason - or good reasons - why.
While remaining very manoeuvrable, the sedan can carry five in relative comfort, and boasts one of the largest boots in its class at 474 litres. Like many other cars in this list, Vioses you'll find from 2021 have been facelifted too.
Among vital (and welcome) cosmetic tweaks, that brought a CVT back to the sedan - in place of the outgoing four-speed automatic gearbox - which, we'd argue, better coheres with the car's character. Even without hybridisation, the Vios is decently refined for something within its segment too, and is quite the fuel-sipper; we managed 13.1km/L on our test drive a while back. Above all, this is a Toyota, so expect heap loads of reliability too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Vios here!
8. Toyota Raize (Price range: ~$105,000 to $111,000)
With the same practicality, but a turbocharged engine, the Toyota Raize is an interesting alternative to the Yaris Cross Hybrid Ask most people what Toyota's smallest crossover today is and their answer is likely to be the formidable, fuel-sipping Yaris Cross Hybrid. But another name has also made its mark via the 'unofficial' route on our shores.
Also sold purely as a parallel import, the Toyota Raize is the perfect car for a P-plate driver with its bite-sized proportions (the car is less than 4m long!), large windows and boxy shape. But like many other cars on this list, it hides a surprising amount of space to passengers on the inside.
Furthermore, its boot is quite good for a subcompact car - at 469 litres. Expect good fuel economy alongside sufficient power, too, from its 1.0-litre turbocharged engine.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Raize here!
9. Seat Toledo (Price range: ~$90,000)*
Sedans with liftback tailgates are a rarity - which makes the Seat Toledo all the more an unconventional option in the compact segment In the mood for something slightly different?
The Seat Toledo may look like the other compact/subcompact sedans on this list, but has its own party trick: A liftback tailgate. This opens up to a massive 550-litre boot - which easily trumps many larger sedans - making the Toledo a great choice for those with lots to ferry around constantly.
Furthermore, thanks to its 1.4-litre turbocharged lump producing 123bhp and 200Nm of torque, the Toledo is capable of more shove than many of the other names here, and offers a very settled ride that gives it the more 'grown-up' aura of larger vehicles. The Japanese and Koreans may arguably still be the best at making economical cars, but don't write this Spaniard off for what it also has to show.
*Only one unit available at time of writing.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Seat Toledo here!
If you're willing to go for even older cars, don't forget to check out everything on our Used Cars listings! And if new cars are still your cup of tea, we've got you covered here too!
Here are a few other articles that may interest you:
Year of the rabbit (2023) - 10 affordable cars to hop into (January 2023)
8 most affordable turbocharged new cars for a faster 2023 (February 2023)
5 PARF cars for family-oriented drivers who want just a subtly different ride
Reintroductions: Every car that has gone from Category B to Category A in the last 12 months (May 2023)
Alas, with COE prices as they are currently, most of us are likely to have to forgo that feeling (or at least believe we have to forgo that feeling) for now. But take this as a light-hearted thought exercise: What could $100,000 - the approximate price of a Category A COE alone - buy you today?
Specifically, if the priority is just for a set of wheels to transport you from Point A to B, then these two year-old compact cars - spanning crossovers to sedans; Japanese to 'conti' models - are certainly not too shabby a group to select from. (All listing and prices accurate at time of publishing.)
1. Mitsubishi Attrage (Price range: ~$85,000 to $92,000)
Given its humble, CVT-mated 1.2-litre three-pot, the Attrage may not be the most powerful compact car. But it doesn't disguise its purpose as an easy-to-drive, point A-to-B vehicle. Its 4.8m turning radius is the smallest in its class; its 450-litre boot is well-sized; and it comes with a generous total of six airbags, too.
Units from 2021 have received the mid-life facelift, which give the Attrage the firm's fiercer 'Dynamic Shield' front. With the 7.0-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio infotainment screen introduced then, both iPhone and Android users crucially get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration now too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Attrage here!
2. Mitsubishi Space Star (Price range: ~$84,000 to $95,000)
Sharing the same platform as the Attrage, but with a 10mm shorter wheelbase, the Space Star does most of what its fraternal twin accomplishes albeit in a slightly different body style that carries its own unique set of characteristics. Since this is a hatchback, trunk carrying capacity with the seats up is lower at 416 litres, but fold them down and this more than doubles. For those who value a more configurable space, this might be the better car to go for.
Otherwise, everything else remains the same: Its engine, manoeuvrability and ease of living with. This is as no-frills and economical as city hatchbacks come.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Space Star here!
3. Opel Crossland (Price range: ~$94,000 to $99,000)
Coupled with 17-inch wheels as standard, the visual upgrade certainly gives the crossover a sharper, more alluring look. Through it all, the Crossland retains its versatile interior, with its 420-litre boot expanding to 520 litres simply with the forward slide of its rear bench.
The uninitiated may think there's not much separating the Crossland's also 1.2-litre engine from the Attrage's/Space Star's, but that couldn't be further from reality. With the power of turbocharging, the three-cylinder unit produces a healthy 129bhp and 230Nm of torque, and is paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox too, helping the Crossland complete the century sprint in just under 10 seconds.
On the road, features like Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Sport Alert also promise to make the car more fuss-free to drive.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Crossland here!
4. Honda Fit 1.3 (GR) (Price range: ~$93,000 to $106,000)
Nonetheless, even without an extra electric motor, the tiny hatch is an efficient little runabout in its own right. If the e:HEV powertrain isn't at the top of your priority list, you could get the entry-level variant with the slightly smaller 1.3-litre engine today, which is sufficient for use within Singapore.
All the same, expect spades of thoughtful practicality within the car's tiny frame, including Honda's clever and inimitable 'ULTRA' fold-up rear seats.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Fit 1.3 here!
5. Honda Shuttle (Price range: ~$103,000 to $116,000)
Nonetheless, the Shuttle excels with its no-compromises approach to people and baggage-moving. Its MPV shape results in excellent rear headroom and legroom, and of course, lends itself to the largest boot here, at 570 litres.
In some variants, the car comes equipped with Honda Sensing too, which includes nifty safety assistance features including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Honda Shuttle here!
6. Nissan Note e-POWER (Price range: ~$103,000 to $110,000)
Nissan's e-POWER drivetrain remains one of the more unique ones on the market today. The car's wheels are never directly driven by the engine; the engine instead generates power for a small battery onboard, which in turn propel the car.
What results is a surprising amount of shove off the line. That, coupled with the Note's diminutive proportions, makes it very nice to drive in the city. It helps, too, that it hasn't lost its core as a spacious and fuel-efficient supermini through this progression.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Nissan Note e-POWER here!
7. Toyota Vios (Price range: ~$104,000 to $112,000)
While remaining very manoeuvrable, the sedan can carry five in relative comfort, and boasts one of the largest boots in its class at 474 litres. Like many other cars in this list, Vioses you'll find from 2021 have been facelifted too.
Among vital (and welcome) cosmetic tweaks, that brought a CVT back to the sedan - in place of the outgoing four-speed automatic gearbox - which, we'd argue, better coheres with the car's character. Even without hybridisation, the Vios is decently refined for something within its segment too, and is quite the fuel-sipper; we managed 13.1km/L on our test drive a while back. Above all, this is a Toyota, so expect heap loads of reliability too.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Vios here!
8. Toyota Raize (Price range: ~$105,000 to $111,000)
Also sold purely as a parallel import, the Toyota Raize is the perfect car for a P-plate driver with its bite-sized proportions (the car is less than 4m long!), large windows and boxy shape. But like many other cars on this list, it hides a surprising amount of space to passengers on the inside.
Furthermore, its boot is quite good for a subcompact car - at 469 litres. Expect good fuel economy alongside sufficient power, too, from its 1.0-litre turbocharged engine.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Toyota Raize here!
9. Seat Toledo (Price range: ~$90,000)*
The Seat Toledo may look like the other compact/subcompact sedans on this list, but has its own party trick: A liftback tailgate. This opens up to a massive 550-litre boot - which easily trumps many larger sedans - making the Toledo a great choice for those with lots to ferry around constantly.
Furthermore, thanks to its 1.4-litre turbocharged lump producing 123bhp and 200Nm of torque, the Toledo is capable of more shove than many of the other names here, and offers a very settled ride that gives it the more 'grown-up' aura of larger vehicles. The Japanese and Koreans may arguably still be the best at making economical cars, but don't write this Spaniard off for what it also has to show.
*Only one unit available at time of writing.
Check out listings for the 2021-registered units of the Seat Toledo here!
If you're willing to go for even older cars, don't forget to check out everything on our Used Cars listings! And if new cars are still your cup of tea, we've got you covered here too!
Here are a few other articles that may interest you:
Year of the rabbit (2023) - 10 affordable cars to hop into (January 2023)
8 most affordable turbocharged new cars for a faster 2023 (February 2023)
5 PARF cars for family-oriented drivers who want just a subtly different ride
Reintroductions: Every car that has gone from Category B to Category A in the last 12 months (May 2023)
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